Garni is a major village and a popular summer resort located 28 km from Yerevan. The settlement is famous for the Temple of Garni, an ancient monument of Armenian architecture. With our Garni Tour Packages you are sorted, but here is the list of things that will help, in case you wish to plan your itinerary on your own.
Top Things to Do in Garni
Begin your Garni Tour by visiting the Pagan Temple of Garni. The temple of Garni was built in the 1st century BC by the Armenian King Tiridates I when Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion. Though the temple survived only partially, it still serves as an example of ancient pagan architecture and is one of Armenia's only remaining classical Greco-Roman buildings. Today, the magnificent building is surrounded by picturesque landscapes making Garni as one of the most visited destinations among tourists planning a trip to Armenia. The pagan temple was opened to tourists in 1975 and was reframed by architect Alexander Sahinian. It is also included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
With our Garni Tour Packages, you'll get to witness the age-old Geghard Monastery. It is a cave monastery built in the 4th century by St. Gregory the Illuminator. The main cathedral was built after 1215 CE. Also known as Ayrivank, the rock-cut cave was built as a result of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. It was destroyed in the 19th century and was later reconstructed in the 13th century by Armenian Prince Prosh Khaghbakian.
Located on an isolated cliff in the Azat River Gorge the monastery is known for its many medieval murals and inscriptions. The monastery is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's considered one of Armenia's most important cultural monuments. The complex consists of multiple churches, chapels, cells and living quarters as well as hallways decorated with frescoes from various periods throughout history that date back to around 500 AD, the earliest being from the 6th century!
The Azat River Gorge or Garni Gorge is a beautiful place to visit, located in Garni District. It's part of the Azat River Gorge State Reserve and offers hiking and camping opportunities, as well as other activities. The trailhead for this hike is located at the village of Azat, which is about an hour away from Garni itself.
Garni Canyon is another popular attraction in Armenia that you can visit with our Garni Packages. It is located in the Gegharkunik Province and part of Garni Gorge. The canyon was formed by erosion processes over time, and its wall has been carved out by rivers and waterfalls. The main reason for visiting Garni Canyon is to see the historic monastery complex that overlooks it from above, but there are also many other attractions nearby such as hot springs, caves and hiking trails.
Located in Azat River Basin, the Symphony of Stones is another tourist attraction. The incredible rocks seem like organs, thus, also known as “Basalt Organ”. The rocks were formed under high-pressure conditions during the crystallization and cooling of volcanic lava. Some other attractions that you can explore through our Garni Holiday Packages are Havuts Tar Monastery Complex, Mashtots Hayrapet Church of Garni, Boven-Azatvallei, and Yeranos Lerrnagagat'.
What to Eat in Garni?
Take up our Garni Packages and get to taste some amazing traditional delicacies of Garni. From the savoury to the sweet, there's a little something for everyone! The first is Khachapuri. This cheese-filled bread is a must-to-try for any traveler who enjoys carbs. It can be found at any restaurant or bakery in Garni and is usually served with grape leaves and tomatoes. Next up is Khinkali. This delicious meat dumpling is filled with potatoes, carrots and spices and served with yoghurt sauce. You'll find these dumplings in many restaurants throughout Garni. For dessert, try a few things from the Armenian pastry shop on your Garni Tour. These treats are made from honeycomb and are actually pretty low in calories so you can indulge guiltlessly!
What to Buy in Garni?
When you're in Garni, you'll find a wide variety of traditional souvenirs to buy. Some of the goodies that are famous here are the Garni Artisanal Breads. They are known for their rich taste and aroma. They're also made with ingredients that have been sourced locally, so they're free of preservatives and artificial ingredients. Buy some honey from the surrounding area. The honey produced by local bees is made into a variety of different products, including honeycomb and honeysuckle wine which tastes like lemonade. Buy some Garni wine! It's a white wine that comes from grapes grown in the area and then processed using traditional methods; it's mild-tasting and has no added sugars or alcohol, making it good for drinking on its own or pairing with food like cheese or meats. Take up our Garni Holiday Packages to taste the best Armenian wine.
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Book Package: Armenia Tour Package
